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    Fern Flower

    Legendary · Raskovnik

    Magical · Psychoactive · Catalytic · Defensive

    Terrain Forest

    Harvesting & Preparation

    • Locate the Right Fern Patch. A DC 15 Wisdom (Survival) check or Intelligence (Nature) check is required to differentiate the correct species from countless forest ferns. Clues might involve glowing fireflies or faint luminescent fungi.
    • The Snatch & Escape
      • Grabbing the flower requires a DC 15 Dexterity (Acrobatics) check or Strength (Athletics) check, contested by the swirling magic around it.
      • Once the flower is in hand, a final DC 14 Wisdom saving throw is needed to ignore any illusions or ghosts that beckon you to “look back.” Failing this final check means the flower disappears or you drop it in fright. If the character completes these steps successfully (GM’s discretion on partial success/failure), they possess the Fern Flower for the remainder of the night.

    Items & Effects

    • Reveal Hidden Treasures.
      • While holding the Fern Flower, you can sense buried or hidden valuables within 60 feet, as though under a constant locate object spell (PHB, p. 256) effect (for precious metals, gems, or chests).
      • While holding the Fern Flower, you may cast detect magic (PHB, p. 231) once, without expending a spell slot.
    • See the Unseen.
      • Treat the Fern Flower as a lens to the spirit world. While in your possession, you have blindsight out to 10 feet and can see invisible creatures and objects within that range.
      • Once per short rest, you can cast see invisibility (PHB, p. 274) on yourself, lasting up to 10 minutes (no concentration needed).
    • Protection from Evil.
      • As long as you keep the flower on your person, you are under the effects of the Protection from evil and good spell (PHB, p.270). Fiends, fey, and undead have disadvantage on attack rolls against you.
      • If a fiend tries to possess or frighten you, it automatically fails the saving throw to do so, unless it is significantly more powerful (GM’s discretion).

    Lore

    According to legend, the fern blooms once a year on Kupala Night, and its elusive flower grants the finder the ability to see hidden treasures, gain clairvoyance, and unlock the world’s secrets. The mystical herb known as Raskovnik is also linked to the fern; it is said to have the power to open any lock and overcome demonic forces guarding treasures.

    For centuries, July 6th has been celebrated as Agrafena the Bather's Day; among the peoples of Eastern Europe, this day was considered the start of the bathing season when it was safe to swim in rivers and lakes after winter. For herb gatherers, this day is called "Agrafena—Evil Roots"; herbs collected on this day were considered especially potent, and people believed they contained magical energy. Healers revered Agrafena's Day also because it was followed by the famous Kupala Night—a time for gathering magical herbs, a time when unclean forces could enter our world. On Kupala Night, various miracles occur; it is on this night, according to legend, that the fern flower blooms—the flower of all flowers—and the raskovnik appears.

    The brave soul who dares to find the fern flower must enter the forest before midnight, find a suitable spot, draw a circle around themselves, and wait for the flower to appear. This happens as follows: Between the leaves resembling large bird wings, a flower bud appears like a glowing ember. It moves, jumps, and even chirps. Exactly at midnight, the bud bursts open with a crack, and a flower appears, illuminating everything with a cold, magical light. Some add that thunder resounds and the earth shakes at this moment. As soon as the flower appears, evil forces try to frighten the seeker. But you must not be afraid; otherwise, the demons will seize the flower, and the frightened person will be deceived for life. To prevent this, the legend teaches, you must take the flower in your hands and, without looking back, run home. During this time, unclean forces will intensify their efforts to scare and tempt you. But you must not look back! If you do, the flower will vanish. For the one who possesses it, all secrets and enchantments are revealed; they become strong and beautiful. The fern flower will reveal all hidden treasures and can even serve as a love potion. Such is the legend.

    From Witch’s Herbs 5E, p. 44 · Fern Flower Press